𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗡 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗙. 𝗠𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗥𝗨 𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗨 𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗦 𝟲𝗧𝗛 𝗨𝗗𝗦 𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘-𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗥

The Minister made the remarks in a congratulatory and solidarity message delivered on his behalf by the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Gushegu, Hon. Adam Abdul Hafiz, at the investiture ceremony held on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at the Multipurpose Auditorium of UDS in Tamale. On behalf of the Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) and the people of the Northern Region, Hon. Ali Adolf John extended his warmest congratulations to Prof. Iddrisu and wished him a successful tenure.

Hon. Ali Adolf John said UDS occupied a special place in the history and development of northern Ghana, having remained committed since its establishment to blending academic excellence with practical responses to the development needs of communities. He noted that the University’s teaching, research and community engagement had contributed significantly to development in agriculture, health, education, governance, environmental sustainability and rural development.

The Minister emphasised that the Northern Regional Coordinating Council greatly valued its longstanding relationship with UDS, explaining that the University had provided intellectual support, technical expertise, research evidence and trained professionals who continued to serve the region and the country with distinction.

He noted that faculty members, students and alumni of UDS had collaborated with local authorities and communities to address critical development challenges. He therefore described the University not merely as an institution located in the Northern Region, but as an indispensable development partner whose expertise was critical to the region’s progress.

Hon. Adolf assured the University that the NRCC remained committed to strengthening its partnership with UDS through collaboration in development planning, applied research, youth empowerment, agriculture, public health, environmental protection, peacebuilding and the creation of sustainable economic opportunities.

The Northern Regional Minister also paid tribute to former Vice-Chancellors of UDS for their respective contributions to the growth and development of the institution. He said successive leadership had played important roles in expanding academic programmes, infrastructure, research, partnerships and the University’s national and international reputation.

He expressed particular appreciation to the immediate past Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Seidu Al-Hassan, and all his predecessors, saying the enduring strength of UDS was built on the foundations they had laid and the institutions they had helped to develop.

Turning to the new Vice-Chancellor, Hon. Ali Adolf John said Prof. Iddrisu inherited a respected University with a proud record of service but assumed office at a time when higher education institutions were expected to provide practical solutions to unemployment, climate change, food insecurity, public health challenges and rapid technological transformation.

He therefore urged Prof. Iddrisu to build on the achievements of his predecessors while opening new frontiers of innovation and excellence. He encouraged the new administration to prioritise quality teaching, relevant research, staff development, student welfare and responsible financial and institutional governance.

The Minister further called on UDS to strengthen partnerships with government, industry, development agencies and local communities to enhance the University’s contribution to national development. He said such partnerships would provide opportunities for research, innovation, skills development and practical interventions capable of improving livelihoods.

Hon. Adolf stressed the need for UDS to equip young people with more than academic certificates, saying students required knowledge, character, confidence and practical skills to create opportunities for themselves and contribute meaningfully to society.

He consequently encouraged the University to deepen entrepreneurship, innovation and technology-driven training to ensure that its graduates were adequately prepared for the demands of a rapidly changing global economy.

The Northern Regional Minister pledged the continued cooperation and support of the NRCC to Prof. Iddrisu and his administration, expressing confidence that stronger collaboration between the Council and UDS would advance the development of the University and improve the lives of the people it was established to serve.

He also appealed to the University Council, Management, faculty, staff, students, alumni and other stakeholders to rally behind the new Vice-Chancellor, stressing that sustainable institutional progress required unity of purpose, mutual respect and a shared commitment to the greater good of the University.

Concluding his message, Hon. Ali Adolf John once again congratulated Prof. Mohammed Muniru Iddrisu on his investiture as the sixth Vice-Chancellor of UDS and wished him a tenure characterised by wisdom, integrity, innovation, inclusiveness and lasting achievement, assuring him that the Northern Region was proud of him and that the NRCC stood firmly with him.